Vedic - Puranas
In the tradition of Sanatana Dharma, the Vedas are considered Apaurusheya, which means they were not created or authored by any human being.
It is believed that the Vedas are eternal cosmic sounds. They were not "written" but were "heard" by ancient Sages (Rishis) while they were in deep states of meditation (Tapas). Because they heard these vibrations, the Vedas are also called "Shruti" (that which is heard).
The Vedas existed as a vast, unorganized body of knowledge passed down through oral tradition.
Veda Vyasa organized this vast knowledge into the four distinct collections we know today: Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva. Because of this monumental task of classification, he is called "Veda Vyasa" (the one who classified/expanded the Vedas).
Puranas: These texts provide us with insights into Spiritual and Cosmic History.
In Sanatana Dharma, the Puranas are considered the most significant scriptures. While the Vedas provide the foundational knowledge, the Puranas explain that same wisdom in the form of stories, making it easily understandable for the common person. For this reason, the Puranas are also referred to as the "Fifth Veda".
The word 'Purana' means 'ancient yet ever-new.' These texts describe the creation, sustenance, and dissolution of the universe, the histories of deities, the genealogies of kings, and the principles of Dharma.
Sage Veda Vyasa authored the 18 major Puranas (Mahapuranas), which can be classified into three categories.
Itihasas: These epics guide us regarding Historical and Ethical Conduct.
The term "Itihasa" is derived from the combination of the words "Iti-ha-asa," which means "Thus it truly happened." While the Puranas describe the creation of the universe and the divine, the Itihasas illustrate the historical realities that occurred on Earth and the way of life of great personalities.
In Sanatana Dharma, there are two primary epics, known as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The true epic of how Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana, and Bhakta Hanuman defeated the demon king Ravana to uphold righteousness. It is not just a poetic work, but a great sacred Ramayan gradh that teaches how to live by relationships, dharma, duty, and morality in human life.
There are a total of seven kandas (sections) in the Ramayana.
1.Bala Kaanda
2.Ayodhya Kaanda
3.Aranya Kaanda
4.Kishkindha Kaanda
5.Sundara Kaanda
6.Yuddha Kaanda
7.Uttara Kaanda
The Mahabharata is a world-renowned epic composed by Veda Vyasa. The central theme revolves around the Kurukshetra war fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas for the kingdom of Hastinapura. It consists of a total of 18 parvas (chapters), and the Bhagavad Gita, taught by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, is an integral part of it.
The names of the 18 parvas (sections) in the Mahabharata:
- Adi Parva
- Sabha Parva
- Aranya Parva
- Virata Parva
- Udyoga Parva
- Bhishma Parva
- Drona Parva
- Karna Parva
- Shalya Parva
- Sauptika Parva
- Stri Parva
- Shanti Parva
- Anushasana Parva
- Ashvamedhika Parva
- Ashramavasika Parva
- Mausala Parva
- Mahaprasthanika Parva
- Svargarohana Parva
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important spiritual scriptures of Hinduism. It forms a part of the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata. The Gita presents the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna was facing a deep moral and spiritual dilemma.
The central message of the Bhagavad Gita:
A person should perform their Dharma and duties with sincerity, dedicate the results of their actions to God, and live with knowledge and devotion.
In Sanatana Dharma, the Upanishads are the scriptures that provide the highest level of wisdom. Because they are the final part of the Vedas, they are referred to as "Vedanta."
The word 'Upanishad' is a combination of three terms:
Upa: Near
ni: Devotedly
sath: To sit
It means a student approaching a Guru with humility to learn the nature of the Supreme Reality.
Path of Knowledge (Jnana Marga): More than rituals and ceremonies, these texts emphasize 'Self-realization' (Atma-jnana) and 'Knowledge of the Ultimate Reality' (Brahma-jnana).
Message: Great declarations (Mahavakyas) such as "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am the Divine) and "Tat Tvam Asi" (That Thou Art) originated from the Upanishads.
Although there are many Upanishads in total, great teachers like Adi Shankaracharya considered 10–12 of them as the principal Upanishads (Mukhya Upanishads).